Top 5 Moments in Buick History

This year marks the 110th anniversary for Buick; the company leaves behind a trail of quality cars and is currently cursing towards an even brighter future. Throughout its 11 generation history, Buick has sold more than 43 million cars - that's the equivalent of every vehicle sold in the United States over the past three years.

Buick was founded in 1903 when it hand-built cars in a small barn behind David Dunbar Buick's Detroit home. 110 years later, Buicks are made in state-of-the-art facilities around the world including an LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Golf-certified manufacturing facility.

Buick's first vehicle, the 1904 Model B, was a mere 83-inch long, making it the smallest car produced by the company. A close runner up is the 1912 Model 34 (90.7 inches) and 2013 Encore luxury (100.6 inches).

2/9

The Buick Electra 225 nameplate was introduced in 1959, with the "225" referencing the model's overall length in inches. By 1975, the Electra grew to become the longest vehicle ever produced by Buick. It measured 233.7 inches from bumper to bumper.

3/9

Powertrain innovation is a Buick trademark. Today, the company's turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0L delivers 259 hp, but displacement was king in the 1960s and '70s. Buick's largest engine, a 455-cubic-inch (7.5L) V-8, was introduced in 1970 with 10.25:1 compression and 370 hp.

Buick's quickest car, the '87 Buick Grand National GNX, was also one of the brands rarest. The GNX was powered by a cast-iron, 3.8L V-6, fed with hot air from a Garrett Turbo. Recording a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds, only 547 were built.

4/9

Buick is celebrating its 110th anniversary. To celebrate, we've compiled the top 5 moments in Buick history.

Top 5 Moments in Buick History:

The 1938 Buick Y-Job, credited to famed designer Harley Earl, is regarded as the first concept car ever built. Its waterfall grille is still used on Buicks today, and it featured futuristic technologies like power windows. Earl drove the car himself for more than a decade. Photo (c) 2013 Buick

5/9

The 1963 Riviera, often regarded as one of history's most beautiful cars, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The powerful sport coupe was said to be inspired by a Rolls-Royce that Buick design boss Bill Mitchell saw through a fog in London. Photo (c) 2013 Buick

6/9

Buick has a deep motorsports history, proving its performance on race tracks as early as 1908. A Buick has served as Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 six times, and the brand also won two NASCAR Manufacturer Championships, in 1981 and 1982. Photo (c) 2013 Buick

7/9

After just over three decades of engineering progress, the first production Buick topped 100 mph. It was the appropriately named 1936 Buick Century. Photo (c) 2013 Buick

8/9

The fastest production Buick in history is today's Buick Regal GS luxury sport sedan. At the 2012 Nevada Open Road Challenge, it recorded a top speed of 162 mph. Photo (c) 2013 Buick